Glencoe Public Library, Wilmette Village Hall reopen to public

As local COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in a positive direction, public buildings around New Trier Township are beginning to reopen.

The Glencoe Public Library reopened to the public Monday, Jan. 25 after a months-long closure due to a substantial rise in COVID-19 cases in the area.

“The library’s management made the decision to reopen based on Governor Pritzker’s January 18 announcement about improving public health conditions in areas of suburban Cook County,” a press release from the library reads.

Locals are welcomed back to the Glencoe library from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, the release says. While the library will be closed on Sundays, curbside pick-up will be available, according to the release.

In addition to availability on Sundays, the library’s curbside pickup service will continue to be offered throughout the week. The library’s curbside hotline is available at (847) 835-8926 during regular hours.

Capacity inside the library is limited to no more than 25 patrons at once, officials say, adding that visits are limited to one hour. Seating inside the library will be limited and socially distanced, the release says.

The use of public computers and additional library services will be available and library programming is set to remain virtual for now, officials said in the release.

Appointment-only visits to the library’s second-floor children’s collection are available and the library is requesting that appointments be made in advance by calling the library or visiting its online calendar.

As of publication time, the Wilmette Public Library and the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District did not return The Record’s request for comment on a potential reopening date. The Wilmette, Northfield and Winnetka libraries are still closed to in-person visits as of Jan. 25.

Last week, Wilmette Village Hall also reopened to the public, according to information from the village. The building had previously been closed since mid-November.

Hours of operation at village hall are limited to 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, 1-4 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

Kenilworth Village Hall has remained open for the past several months but services will be unavailable for a brief timeframe over the next few weeks.
The village hall will be closed for lunch between 12:30-1 p.m. while staff members are working from home on a “rotational basis,” village officials said.

“We are trying to maintain safe workplace distancing, and closing for a short period of time during lunch will help to ensure that people do not have to wait in line for service,” a release from the village says. “We anticipate reopening during the lunch hour as soon as staff returns to the office full-time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Village Halls in Winnetka, Northfield and Glencoe are open to the public as of publication time.